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Current Imaging Approaches and Challenges in the Assessment of Carotid Artery Disease

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Vessel Based Imaging Techniques

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Abstract

Modern advances now allow for carotid plaque vulnerability to be assessed through noninvasive imaging techniques. Further paradigm shift has expanded imaging evaluation of carotid disease beyond stenosis measurement to thorough evaluation of carotid plaque characteristics. Key imaging features such as plaque ulceration, neovascularity, thickness of fibrous cap, and the presence of intraplaque hemorrhage can now be used to stratify risk of global plaque rupture. In this chapter, we focus on the three primary imaging modalities used to assess carotid plaque (MRI, CT, and ultrasound) and focus on imaging features of lipid-rich necrotic core and intraplaque hemorrhage on each. Additionally we discuss novel techniques within each modality used to evaluate plaque and consider relative merits.

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The views expressed in this chapter are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy of the Department of Army/Navy/Air Force, Department of Defense, or US Government.

The identification of specific products or scientific instrumentation does not constitute endorsement or implied endorsement on the part of the author, DoD, or any component agency.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Krishnan Ravindran, Waleed Brinijiki & John Huston III

  2. Department of Radiology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA

    J. Kevin DeMarco

  3. Department of Radiology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA

    J. Kevin DeMarco

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  1. Krishnan Ravindran
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  2. Waleed Brinijiki
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  3. J. Kevin DeMarco
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  4. John Huston III
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Correspondence to Waleed Brinijiki .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Chun Yuan

  2. University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Thomas S. Hatsukami

  3. University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Mahmud Mossa-Basha

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Ravindran, K., Brinijiki, W., DeMarco, J.K., Huston, J. (2020). Current Imaging Approaches and Challenges in the Assessment of Carotid Artery Disease. In: Yuan, C., Hatsukami, T., Mossa-Basha, M. (eds) Vessel Based Imaging Techniques . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25249-6_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25249-6_5

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